Spa at Colfax closes doors

Consumers can redeem gift cards for partial value at two local salons.

Consumers can redeem gift cards for partial value at two local salons.

November 25, 2009|By HEIDI PRESCOTT Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- Julie Koszyk opened the birthday card from her husband last month to find a message and a gift card. The message read, "You help people all day long, so take this and relax." The gift card was from the Spa at Colfax. In the weeks that followed, the South Bend physical therapy assistant booked an appointment for Tuesday to receive a hot rock massage, pedicure and manicure. She even took the day off work. On Friday, someone from the Spa, located at 224 W. Colfax Ave., South Bend, called to confirm her appointment. But on Monday, Koszyk says she received a call with a very different message. That call came from owner Beth Hamilton, Koszyk said. "Beth called me personally and said she was not going to be able to keep my appointment because her business was closed," she said. When she asked how she could have her $200 gift certificate refunded, "she said there was nothing I could do. She said absolutely not, she could not refund (it)," Koszyk said. A phone message left for Hamilton at the spa, and e-mail messages sent to Hamilton and the spa, were not returned Tuesday afternoon. The number for the Colfax Laser Center, another business operated by Hamilton, has been disconnected. There was no signage on the door Tuesday to indicate the business closures, and the Spa's Web site and Facebook page were still in operation. But Jan Fye, regional director for the Small Business Development Center, confirmed the business is closed. "Yes, it's unfortunately true. I'm heartbroken as I have watched Beth Hamilton work incredibly hard in difficult times to build her business," Fye said. "There are so many challenges for small businesses these days." "Businesses don't close because they want to. They close because things happen. You do the best you possibly can and she did," Fye said. Hamilton opened the Spa at Colfax in March 2000, in a building that formerly housed Szalay's European Custom Tailoring. A year later, Hamilton and the Spa were among the local businesses featured on a CNBC personal finance segment, and she expanded in the years that followed to add the Colfax Laser Center on the second floor of the downtown building. Koszyk said she was not satisfied with the call from Hamilton. In fact, it actually made her angrier, she said. "I don't think people should be able to get away with this and say the economy is bad," said Koszyk. Koszyk said she has contacted the Indiana attorney general, the Better Business Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County. And she has obtained the paperwork to take Hamilton to small claims court to get her money back. *** At least two local salons and day spas said they will accept Spa at Colfax gift cards toward services. Reactions Hair Studio, at the Martin's-anchored Granger Station, will offer gift card holders a $25 credit toward any service or any product, said Arika Langreder of Reactions. During the past year, Reactions acquired four former Spa at Colfax employees. "We'd love to generate that business over here, and we believe we have the same practices and techniques they had," Langreder said. J'A Ross Salon and Resort Spa, 1205 University Drive, Mishawaka, will honor any gift card for 50 percent off a hair or spa service. Some exceptions apply. "It's our contribution to the public to help them get past where we're all at. People are hard pressed already," said Ross Fisher, co-owner of J'A Ross. "It's people helping people." Staff writer Heidi Prescott: hprescott@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6070